• Research
  • Diwan
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Middle East logoCarnegie lettermark logo
LebanonIran
{
  "authors": [
    "Mohanad Hage Ali"
  ],
  "type": "commentary",
  "blog": "Diwan",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Three Question Time"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Levant",
    "Syria",
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform"
  ]
}
Diwan English logo against white

Source: Getty

Commentary
Diwan

The Politics of Conflict

Jihad Yazigi discusses diplomacy in Syria, Iran’s aims, and whether the Assad regime still matters.

Link Copied
By Mohanad Hage Ali
Published on Jul 21, 2017
Diwan

Blog

Diwan

Diwan, a blog from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Middle East Program and the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, draws on Carnegie scholars to provide insight into and analysis of the region. 

Learn More

Jihad Yazigi is editor and publisher of Syria Report, an independent website that publishes articles on Syrian economic affairs. Though Yazigi’s focus is on economics, he has also closely followed political developments in Syria since the uprising in 2011, and has written on his personal website, “I entirely support the great Syrian revolution and the struggle of the Syrian people for a better, fairer, freer and more dignified life.”

After his father participated in a failed 1961 coup in Lebanon, the family went into exile, first to Ghana, then to Paris, where Yazigi became a French citizen. Diwan met with him on July 12 to discuss the latest political developments in Syria, including the ongoing Astana negotiating process and the recent U.S.-Russian agreement over southern Syria.  

About the Author

Mohanad Hage Ali

Deputy Director for Research, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Mohanad Hage Ali is the deputy director for research at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.

    Recent Work

  • Commentary
    Is Türkiye Lebanon’s New Iran?

      Mohanad Hage Ali

  • Commentary
    An Automated Occupation in South Lebanon

      Mohanad Hage Ali, Mohamad Najem

Mohanad Hage Ali
Deputy Director for Research, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
Mohanad Hage Ali
Political ReformLevantSyriaMiddle East

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Diwan

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Hezbollah’s Wartime Strategy

    The party’s objectives involve tying together the Lebanese and Iranian fronts, while surviving militarily and politically at home. 

      Mohamad Fawaz

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    A Mission for Lebanon’s Army

    While armed forces commander Rudolph Haykal’s caution is understandable, he is in a position to act, and must.

      Michael Young

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Trump’s Plan for Gaza Is Not Irrelevant. It’s Worse.

    The simple conclusion is that the scheme will bring neither peace nor prosperity, but will institutionalize devastation.

      Nathan J. Brown

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Israel Strikes Hezbollah’s Muslim Brotherhood-Affiliated Allies

    The Jamaa al-Islamiyya is the local Lebanese dimension of a broader struggle involving rival regional powers.

      Issam Kayssi

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Syria Skirts the Conflict With Iran

    In an interview, Kheder Khaddour  explains that Damascus is trying to stabilize its borders, but avoiding war isn’t guaranteed. 

      Michael Young

Get more news and analysis from
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
Carnegie Middle East logo, white
  • Research
  • Diwan
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.